By Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim has urged 'the Corps employers to accord priority to the corps members' welfare, thereby providing the enabling environment for them to develop their potential.'
Major General Shauibu Ibrahim made the recommendation, Thursday during the closing ceremony of the 2022 Batch 'A' Stream 'II' Corps Members at the NYSC Permanent Site, Old MacGregor College in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The NYSC DG, represented by the State Coordinator, Mrs Bamai Mercy Dawuda also called on 'the state and local government authorities, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to give the corps members the necessary encouragement, especially through support for their community development service initiatives.'
He had earlier congratulated the corps members and corps officials on the success recorded through the period of the orientation course in the camp.
He said that the orientation course served as the launchpad for the entire service and enjoined the corps members to brace up for the tasks of the next phase following the closing ceremony in the camp.
While charging the corps members to use their service year to promote national unity and development, Major General Ibrahim, urged them to remain patriotic, hardworking and resilient as they demonstrated during their orientation course.
"I urge you to remain patriotic, hardworking and resilient as demonstrated during the orientation course. As you get set to report to your places of Primary Assignment, I wish to stress the need for you to be diligent in the performance of your duties.
"I also urge you to integrate into your host communities through learning their languages and cultures. Furthermore, you should devote time to identify the felt needs of the communities, and initiate personal and group Community Development Service projects that will promote their living standards," Major General Ibrahim advised.
He equally encouraged the corps members to embrace the self-employment opportunities unveiled to them through the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, SAED programme and not wait for 'white-collar jobs,' which he said, 'are no longer easy to come by.'
The DG advised the corps members to build on the skills acquired by availing themselves of opportunities for the post-camp training, noting that the desire to make the SAED programme more impactful partly informed the NYSC advocacy for the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps Trust Fund.
He appreciated the National Assembly for the progress made so far in the legislative processes on the Bill for the Establishment of the Trust Fund, saying that, "it has not only passed the second reading but also subjected to the public hearing."
The DG who maintained that the NYSC would take care of the Corps members' welfare and security as its topmost priority list, urged them to play their part, by being security conscious, avoiding risky engagements such as staying out late at night, attending late parties, visitation of dangerous places and acceptance of car ride from strangers.
He urged the corps members to shun drug abuse and trafficking, cybercrime and advanced-free-fraud, and other social vices, stressing that the defaulters of the order among the corps members would be punished by the provisions of the NYSC Bye-Laws.
"I enjoin you to be law-abiding at all times and be good ambassadors of the NYSC and your families. You are also strongly advised to use social media for positive purposes instead of promoting rumours, fake news, hatred as well as ethnic jingoism. Furthermore, I would like to reiterate our warning against unauthorised journeys and trips," he said.
He advised those who have not taken the COVID-19 vaccine to do so without further delay, stressing that, the rule could be applied to corps members in their places of primary assignment, while expressing gratitude to the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, for their support and guidance facilitating the safe and efficient conduct of the orientation course within the context of the 'new normal.'
The DG as well appreciated the NCDC for the continuous provision of Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits and sensitization materials for usage in all orientation camps, commended other stakeholders including the National Agency for the Control of AIDS and the contributions of Federal, state, and local governments, alongside the security agencies and other aiding organisations, while advocating for the stakeholders' support to the scheme's Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers, HIRD across the nation.
